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「運命を紡ぐ赤」 (Unmei o tsumugu aka)
“The Red that Spins Fate”
A return to Akagami no Shirayukihime is like coming home after a long, tiring trip. The world is lovely, the tone relaxing, and the characters ever likeable.
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「ささやき、詠唱、祈り、目覚めよ」 (Sasayaki, Eishou, Inori, Mezame yo)
“Whisper, Chant, Prayer, Awaken”
A lot of people have been calling Grimgar the next Sword Art Online, but this is a premiere that sets the two apart.
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「まじかるナース、誕生！」 (Maji Karu Nasu, Tanjou!)
“The Birth of the Magical Nurse!”
Yesterday we had Marble Statues Idol Anime, today we’ve got The Many Hair Colours of Hanekawa Tsubasa Idol Anime, aka Nurse Witch Komugi-chan R, pyon.
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「#1」
When people say things like: “They don’t make anime like they used to”, this is what they are referring to. I urge any anime fan, whether skeptical or content, to watch Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu – this multi-award winning Showa period drama is something special, and it all kicks off with a 48-minute premiere that ends up feeling like a 3-hour movie.
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「開宴」 (Kaien)
“The Banquet Begins”
GATE returns like it’s never been gone, with a set-up episode for the Flaming Dragon Arc and its battles to come.
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「私の芸術的人生の7年間を要約する現実的寓意」 (Watashi no Geijutsu Teki Jinsei no 7 Nenkan o Youyaku suru Genjitsu Teki Guii)
“A Visceral Allegory of Seven Years of My Artistic Life”
Sekkou Boys – The tale of a 22 year-old art school graduate who suffers trauma from marble statues and is assigned to be the manager of a new idol group comprised of four talking marble statues. It’s just as ridiculous as it sounds, and it’s kind of amazing.
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「日下さんとマシュマロ」 (Kusaka-san to Mashumaro)
“Kusaka-san and Marshmallow”
Finally, the Paul Blart: Mall Cop anime that we all deserve. But there’s a twist – it’s actually really good! It’s sweet and addictive, just like marshmallows, and a serious contender for the best short of the Winter season.
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「ロード・オブ・ザ・小鳥遊」 (Roudo obu za Takanashi)
“Lord of the Takanashi”
It’s rare for anime comedies to get three seasons, an hour-long finale, and reach a natural conclusion – yet WORKING!! is a rare sort of series, I suppose. It feels good to see it end like this, yet sad to see it end at all.
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「#1」
Gundam fans got a much-appreciated Christmas present this year – we’re jumping back into the One Year War of the Universal Century timeline, telling the story of two pilots destined to kill one another. It’s slick, cool, jazzy, and the animation is gorgeous yet brutal. Strap in for Gundam Thunderbolt.
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「響け！ユーフォニアム 番外編 かけだすモナカ.」 (Hibike! Euphonium: Kakedasu Monaka)
“Kakedasu Monaka”
Hibike! Euphonium returns with an appetiser for the second season coming next year, giving Hazuki and her fellow rejects the time to shine.